Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a restored rating of 10% for his left shoulder scar is granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and the issue remains pending. Service connection for neck disorder (cervical pseudoarthrosis and cervical spine arthritis) as secondary to left shoulder disability is granted. Service connection for cervical radiculopathy on the left side as secondary to the neck condition is also granted. The claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination in determining the severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability, which was previously rated at 20 percent and later increased to 20 percent effective from April 25, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities. The right leg disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and right elbow disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, back, and right foot disorders. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions were not established during or within one year after his separation from active duty.,Service treatment records did not document any complaints related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence supporting the diagnosis. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated medical records, examinations, and development of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's musculoskeletal disabilities of the right leg and arm are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 19, 2019. From that date, the rating was increased to 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and SSA records, and a new examination is required.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or diagnosis that would support a grant of benefits.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left shoulder condition due to additional development being needed, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder but denied the claim itself due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and vertigo due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, neuropathy, and tinnitus have been dismissed.,The application to reopen the prior final disallowance of service connection for tinnitus has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities, as previous examinations were inadequate.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his left shoulder disability from August 1, 2011 is denied. The evidence does not show ankylosis or any other condition that would warrant a higher rating.